The Duke University grad and Maplewood, NJ native first took up fencing at age 13 and has been in love with the sport ever since. (She also happens to be a a style maven who owns an online clothing shop, because apparently there's nothing she can't do.) "As a Muslim female, the sport was uniquely accommodating" she says in her USA Fencing athlete bio. "My religion requires that my body be fully covered, and fencing did just that."

Ibtihaj has long dreamed of making waves in the fencing world, so she's never let self-doubt or naysayers stand in her way.

“When most people picture an Olympic fencer, they probably do not imagine a person like me. Fortunately, I am not most people. I have always believed that with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, I could one day walk with my U.S. teammates into Olympic history."

She hopes that her ambition will inspire others to pursue their goals, no matter how intimidating they may seem.

One of Ibtihaj's biggest motivations in her decision to pursue fencing full-time after college was how little diversity there was in the sport. Few minorities were represented in the game, and she wanted to change that. "I felt that it was something the squad needed," Ibtihaj told Team USA. "There were barriers that needed to be broken."

Her goal is to show the world that amazing things can happen with determination and hard work, no matter who you are.

"I want to compete in the Olympics for the United States to prove that nothing should hinder anyone from reaching their goals—not race, religion or gender," Ibtihaj says in her bio. "I want to set an example that anything is possible."